COMMUNITY groups in Helensburgh and Lomond could be approached to see if they’re interested in helping to look after the area’s cemeteries.
The idea is contained in an Argyll and Bute Council consultation on the future of the area’s cemetery estate.
The consultation says that less than half of Argyll and Bute’s 131 cemeteries are currently available for the purchase of new lairs – and proposes that only eight of those 64 should be considered for future expansion.
A report on the area’s cemeteries says that the idea of community groups helping to look after cemeteries has been welcomed elsewhere in Scotland.
The report states that in the Highland area, the involvement of councillors and volunteers in cutting and strimming cemetery grass has had “very positive” community feedback.
The report adds: “Argyll and Bute Council feel it would be worthwhile engaging with our local communities to gauge their views on whether there would be sufficient community volunteer support to assist in the upkeep of our cemeteries.
READ MORE: Royal Navy submarine K13 and crew remembered at Faslane Cemetery
“[This] will in turn identify a sustainable method of balancing community burial needs with our statutory duty in line with best value and reductions to funding.”
According to the report, there are 2,687 lair spaces available for sale in Helensburgh and Lomond – more than a quarter of the 8,024 available across Argyll and Bute.
In addition, the report says that 1,439 lairs throughout Argyll and Bute were sold more than 70 years ago but still haven’t been used – and that more than half of those are in Helensburgh and Lomond.
Of the eight cemeteries the report suggests should be considered for future expansion, the only one in Helensburgh and Lomond is the main cemetery in Helensburgh itself, on Old Luss Road.
People taking part in the consultation are also being asked to indicate whether they would prefer to be buried or cremated when they themselves pass away, to give the council some idea of future demand.
The report states: “Of the 131 cemeteries in the Argyll and Bute cemetery estate, 64 remain available for the purchase of new lairs.
READ MORE: Kilmahew Castle in Cardross tagged with graffiti
“Sixty-seven are already closed to the sale of lair spaces and have space only to allow for the re-opening of existing lairs, where depth remains, or for the interment of ashes.
“Argyll and Bute Council currently sell burial lairs for open cemeteries only; however, we estimate in the next five years we will have sold all available lairs in 12 cemeteries and in 10 years another nine cemeteries.
“Action is now needed to allow a planned and sustainable cemetery portfolio which delivers best value across Argyll and Bute.
“Without effective planning, we will have areas with far more burial lairs available than others.”
The consultation runs until February 26 and can be found at the council’s website (argyll-bute.gov.uk) or by clicking here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here